Writing the story blurb

. . . ain’t easy!

A brief, intriguing concept. A dash of the personalities in play. A teaser.

This is what I need for the back cover of my new novel, Cold Comfort, and for the online product description.

The story blurb must attract the right readers, be truthful to content, and not give away too much. It’s not the same as an agent query or synopsis, which would include the ending.

For nearly two weeks, I’ve been writing and rewriting the teaser for Cold Comfort and putting it out for critique. Have to say, many other writers have helped, because when my words are fresh in mind, I’m a poor critic. So the result is peppered with their phrases. My job has been to keep it from looking like a creature built by committee.

Here it is. Subject to change, of course. 🙂

When feisty Wanda Wyatt is left widowed, penniless, and disturbed by recent fits of rage, she turns to the one person she hates ─ her grandmother, ex-moonshiner Lucie Bosell. Lured by a vague invitation, she travels back to her mountain roots with two goals in mind: money and revenge. But at what cost? Prohibition has come to West Virginia, and with moonshine worth more than ever, Lucie wants in on the action. Playing along, Wanda finds that being as mean and deceptive as Granny hurts her chances with a compelling man from her past. Worse, the old woman’s high-stakes business attracts ruthless people and big trouble. Wanda learns the hard way–revenge is cold comfort.

I hope this blurb works for you and thousands of your friends!

Cold Comfort–Coming soon to bookstores in the cloud and the real shelves of my favorite local retailers.